US - FAA closes El Paso, Texas airport for 10 days over security concerns - 10 nautical miles out - February 11, 2026 - rescinded after a few hours

[sharon sanders]

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February 11, 2026 at 0332 UTC

EL PASO, Texas near EL PASO VORTAC (ELP)

February 11, 2026 at 0630 UTC

February 21, 2026 at 0630 UTC

Temporary flight restrictions for Special Security Reasons

Security

N/A

[TD="colspan: 3, align: left"] NOTAM Number : [/TD]
[TD="align: left"] FDC 6/2233 [/TD]

[TD="colspan: 3, align: left"] Issue Date : [/TD]

[TD="colspan: 3, align: left"] Location : [/TD]

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[TD="colspan: 3, align: left"] Ending Date and Time : [/TD]

[TD="colspan: 3, align: left"] Reason for NOTAM : [/TD]

[TD="colspan: 3, align: left"] Type : [/TD]

[TD="colspan: 3, align: left"] Replaced NOTAM(s) : [/TD]

[TD="colspan: 2"] [/TD]

		On the EL PASO VORTAC (ELP) 252 degree radial at 4.9 nautical miles. (Latitude: 31º48'26"N, Longitude: 106º22'35"W)
		10 nautical miles
		From the surface up to and including 17999 feet MSL

[TD="colspan: 5"] Affected Area(s) [/TD]
[TD="align: right"] [/TD]

[TD="colspan: 2"] [/TD]

[TD="colspan: 3"] Airspace Definition: [/TD]

[TD="colspan: 3"] Center: [/TD]

[TD="colspan: 3"] Radius: [/TD]

[TD="colspan: 3"] Altitude: [/TD]

[TD="colspan: 5"] Effective Date(s): [/TD]

[TD="colspan: 5"] From February 11, 2026 at 0630 UTC (February 10, 2026 at 2330 MST) [/TD]

[TD="colspan: 5"] To February 21, 2026 at 0630 UTC (February 20, 2026 at 2330 MST) [/TD]

[TD="colspan: 2"] [/TD]

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EXCLUDING MEXICAN AIRSPACE. THE SYSTEM OPERATION SUPPORT CENTER (SOSC), TEL 202-267-8276, IS THE POINT OF CONTACT.

[TD="colspan: 3"] Operating Restrictions and Requirements [/TD]
[TD="align: right"] [/TD]

[TD="colspan: 2"] [/TD]

[TD="colspan: 3"] No pilots may operate an aircraft in the areas covered by this NOTAM (except as described). [/TD]

[TD="colspan: 2"] [/TD]

[TD="colspan: 2"] [/TD]

ZAB - Albuquerque Center

Title 14 CFR section 99.7

[TD="colspan: 3"] Other Information: [/TD]
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[TD="colspan: 2"] ARTCC: [/TD]

[TD="colspan: 2"] Authority: [/TD]

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​
https://tfr.faa.gov/tfr3/?page=detail_6_2233

 

[sharon sanders]

Here is a screen shot of the area at above link....looks like 10 nautical miles out includes part of Mexico while the notice says Mexico airspace is not included so...?

 

[sharon sanders]

Took a full screenshot as of the time on this post... at the link in post 1:

 

[sharon sanders]

To give an idea of the effect of closing the airport for 10 days....

The US - El Paso, Texas crossing is the 2nd largest non-commercial land crossing for US/Mexico and it is the 3rd largest commercial crossing.

https://www.utep.edu/hunt-institute/resources/files/fact sheets/bordercrossings_2023_web.pdf

 

[Commonground]

Drones don't need to fly in the aviation airspace....

 

[Commonground]

The FAA

@FAANews
8m
The temporary closure of airspace over El Paso has been lifted. There is no threat to commercial aviation. All flights will resume as normal.​

https://x.com/FAANews/status/2021583720465969421

 

[Commonground]

Secretary Sean Duffy

@SecDuffy
·
3h
The FAA and DOW acted swiftly to address a cartel drone incursion. The threat has been neutralized, and there is no danger to commercial travel in the region. The restrictions have been lifted and normal flights are resuming.​

https://x.com/SecDuffy/status/2021594420806639787